MIAMI – The owner of the now-defunct Dade Medical College, Ernesto Perez, turned himself in for house arrest Tuesday after pleading guilty last year to giving illegal campaign contributions and obstructing justice.
As part of a plea deal with the state, perjury charges were dropped against Perez in exchange for his guilty plea to the other charges. He was sentenced to three days in jail, which was credited for time served, plus house arrest.
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He was fingerprinted Tuesday and fitted with an ankle monitor for his 60-day house arrest sentence.
Perez told Local 10 News reporter Glenna Milberg last November that he feels that his arrest was politically motivated.
"About three years ago, some powerful folks in our community decided Dade Medical College's presence was not in the best interest of the status quo of academia in our community," Perez said. "They set out to hurt our institution, which employs 400 people and 2,000 students. They succeeded."
As part of the plea deal, Perez will be on probation for three years after serving his sentence and will have to pay $200,000 in restitution. He has paid $95,000 so far.